asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state with regard to the price of milk what increase the producers have got in their margin per gallon since 1951, exclusive of the present projected increase.

The average price paid for creamery milk in the year ending 30th April, 1964, was approximately 5¼d. per gallon more than in the year ended 30th April, 1951.

The average of the statutory minimum prices payable to registered producers for milk sold to registered wholesalers and retailers in the Sale District of the Dublin District Milk Board represented an increase of 5 7/12d. per gallon over the same period. The corresponding figure in the case of the Cork Sale District was 5?d. per gallon. There is no statutory control of producers' prices for the liquid trade in other areas of the country and statistics are not available to enable a similar comparison to be made.

Can the Minister explain why on each occasion an increase in the price of milk is given to the distributors, they get at least twice as much as the producers?

Perhaps the Deputy will address that question to my colleague?

Does the Minister consider it fair or equitable that this should be so?

Since the Minister has not the responsibility to make the decision and does not know the basis on which the decision is arrived at from time to time he does not want to express an opinion at the moment.

Surely the Minister has responsibility for fixing the price to the producers——

Yes.

——and that should be fixed in relation to the price given to the distributors?

I am the Minister responsible, as I have announced, for the fixing of prices to the producers. I have announced these prices and the average increases over the years mentioned in the question.